Realistic Sustainable Living: Simple Ways to Be More Eco-Friendly Every Day

Admittedly, I haven’t always lived the most sustainable life. And really, if we’re being honest with ourselves, most of us could stand to be a little kinder to the world we live in. But I also know that life is busy and messy — and sometimes, convenience is key just to make it through the day.

It’s not always practical to walk or bike if you’re running late or need to get across town in a hurry. Or maybe you forgot your reusable bags (again) and need to grab groceries before heading home from work — cue the plastic ones. We’ve all been there. No judgment here.

With Earth Day being tomorrow, I’ve been thinking more about what sustainability actually looks like in real life — not the Pinterest-perfect version, but the version where we try our best and make small, practical changes that work for our lives and routines.

Look, I know I’m just one person with one family in a big world. I can’t singlehandedly change the planet. But if all of us choose small, sustainable-ish habits that actually make sense for our lifestyles (heavy on the makes sense part), I really believe that’s where change starts.

So, I thought I’d share a few eco-conscious things I’ve been doing in my own home and life lately. Nothing extreme — just realistic ideas that might inspire you too. We’re all out here just trying to do our best every day, and if these tips help you make a few small shifts, that’s a win in my book.

What is realistic sustainable living, actually?

I’ve thought about this a lot, and in just a few words, realistic sustainable living means building habits and practices that are good for the planet — but that also make sense for my family, my budget, and my lifestyle.

I’m not going to go bankrupt swapping out every item in my home for a “sustainable” version just so it looks like I’m doing the right thing. My value (and yours!) isn’t tied to how eco-perfect our homes look on Instagram. But I do care — and I think that’s important to say. Let’s not get the two mixed up.

Simple, eco-friendly swaps for every day life.

Let’s be real — if it’s not simple or doable, it’s probably not going to stick. That’s why I’m all about small, low-effort swaps that actually work with your lifestyle, not against it. These are the things I’ve slowly started incorporating into my day-to-day — nothing extreme. Just practical little changes that feel good and help a little too. Because when it comes to realistic sustainable living, it’s the everyday habits that quietly add up over time. Think: reusable where it makes sense, waste less when you can, and swap when it feels easy. Let’s get into it!

Easy swaps that fit with real life.

Use refillable cleaning products. Try brands that offer refill pods or concentrates so you’re not tossing plastic bottles every month. I love Mrs.Meyer’s brand products. They are affordable, realistic, and they work great!

Keep reusable bags in your car or purse. We all forget sometimes, but having a few stashed in the trunk or diaper bag is a total game-changer. I have an extra thousand if anyone needs some (haha!)

Switch to a reusable water bottle or tumbler. I do think the majority of us are doing this for the most part but let’s know when to stop buying too many though. I found myself almost buying a new one the other day and Drew reminded me how many I had at home (thanks, babe!)

Buy in bulk when possible. I never used to equate bulk shopping with being more sustainable but if you think about it, it equals out to less packaging, fewer trips to the store, and usually cheaper per ounce.

Compost what you can. Even if you don’t have a garden, small countertop compost bins make it easy to toss scraps without trashing them.

Swap dryer sheets for wool dryer balls. They reduce static and last forever — plus you can add a few drops of essential oil if you miss the scent.

Be intentional with food storage. Glass containers, reusable snack bags, and even saving glass jars from sauces or jams can go a long way when it comes to saving leftovers. These bags have also been a game-changer when storing sliced fruit and veggies.

Unplug when you can. I hate a bunch of lights on anyways so this one is easy for me. But turning off the unnecessary lights and electronics when not in use is efficient (and saves you some money too!)

Closet + Counter, But Make It Conscious

Shop your closet first. Pinterest is your friend! Pin looks that speak to you and then go to your closet and see how many of those looks you can put together with what you have. You’d be surprised what you hadn’t thought of before.

Embrace secondhand style. Vintage and thrifting is cool (period.) It’s sustainable, unique and very affordable. PS: stay tuned because I’ll be sharing something around this topic later this year!

“Add to cart” theory. No shame here — if you shop at Target, Amazon, Zara, or Urban Outfitters, you’re already dabbling in fast fashion (most of us are). Buying sustainably is a privilege, and not everyone has the budget for $100 linen pants. My tip? Try the “add to cart and walk away” trick. If you forget about it after a few days, it probably wasn’t worth it. If you don’t, maybe it’s something you truly want — and that pause gives you time to make a more intentional choice.

Rent for special occasions. I love utilizing sites like Rent the Runway, Gwynnie Bee for special occasions or events, especially if I know I’ll only wear the item once.

Build a mini capsule wardrobe. If the thought of this seems overwhelming, try creating a capsule wardrobe for one season or even one type of occasion–such as work. This will help cut down on impulse buys that usually happen when you think you have “nothing to wear.”

Sustainable Beauty Swaps + Habits

Beauty Product Panning. Commit to “panning” (completely using up) your products before buying new ones. I started doing this just a few months ago and I can truly say, it’s oddly satisfying.

Refillable & Returnable Packaging. Brands like L’Occitane, MAC, and Ilia Beauty offer refillable packaging or take back empty containers. There are so many out there so do some online searching to see if your favorite brands have any programs or products they offer.

Makeup Eraser Cloths > Wipes. I recently purchased this makeup eraser towel that only uses water. OMG. I don’t know how it does it but it works wonders. This has replaced my single-use makeup wipes and it’s way more gentle on my skin.

DIY Lip + Cheek Tints from Leftover Lipstick. This is actually a fun little DIY (and you know I love a good DIY) Melt the last bit of lipstick into a small tin, mix with vaseline, and boom — custom cheek or lip stain.

Utilize olive and coconut oils in your regimen. Dual purpose items are always sustainable and this is one I’ve been doing for years. Olive oil makes great eye makeup remover and coconut oil doubles as a good night time moisturizer on the skin (a small amount goes a long way.)

Eco-Friendly Mom Hacks

Use silicone bibs. I bought a 3-pack off Amazon and they are wonderful and clean off so well. It saves many shirts from getting destroyed by tough berry stains (toddler moms, you get it!) and you can rinse off instead of washing cloth ones constantly.

Freeze leftovers in ice cube trays for toddler portions — zero waste and super convenient. Hello, picky eating stage!

Clean with vinegar + baking soda. It’s safe around kids and pets and it’s cheap, and effective. Win, win!

Rotate toys instead of buying more — feels new without the extra clutter (and waste). We’ve started to portion out Gisele’s toy in separate baskets and each day she gets a new basket of toys. Keeps the boredom at bay and prevents us from buying more.

Make toys out of unlikely home items. Drew came home one day and said “why are the pots and pans in the living room” to which I explained that Gisele wanted to play with them so I let her. I don’t have too much that’s off limits when it comes to her imagination and play. If its not harmful, dangerous, or valuable, she can play with it. When I tell you how much money I’ve saved on toys!

Tiny tweaks, big impact.

Here are some final thoughts. At the end of the day, I truly believe that living more sustainably doesn’t have to be all or nothing. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being intentional in the ways that make sense for your life, your family, and your budget. Whether it’s swapping out your laundry detergent, thinking twice before clicking “checkout,” or simply using what you already have, every small shift adds up.

So no, you don’t have to grow all your own food or wear only organic hemp clothing to be part of the change. You just have to care enough to start somewhere. And hey, if today that just looks like saving this post for later and taking one idea to try this week? That’s more than enough.